Pesniary
| Company type | Vocal-instrumental ensemble (VIA) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Founder | Vladimir Mulyavin |
| Defunct | 2003 |
| Headquarters | Soviet Union / Belarus |
| Products | Folk rock music, albums, singles |
Pesniary (also spelled Pesnyary, , ) was a distinguished Soviet-era Belarusian folk rock VIA, established in 1969 by guitarist Vladimir Mulyavin. Prior to 1970, the ensemble performed under the name Liavony (Лявоны).
Style
Pesniary's sound combined traditional Belarusian folk melodies with rock music, gradually incorporating elements of progressive and psychedelic rock. Some compositions were created by Aleksandra Pakhmutova, and their early work showed influences from Frank Zappa.
Biography
In 1973, Pesniary featured in the Soviet television movie "This Merry Planet". They were pioneers among Soviet groups touring the United States in 1976, playing concerts throughout the southern states alongside the folk ensemble The New Christy Minstrels.
After the tragic death of Mulyavin in a car accident on 26 January 2003, the original group disbanded. Subsequently, five separate bands have asserted their connection to Pesniary’s heritage:
- Belarusian State Ensemble Pesniary – a government-supported formation managed by Belarus’s Ministry of Culture, mainly composed of younger musicians.
- Belorusskie Pesniari – headed by former saxophonist Uladzislau Misevich.
- Pesniari – directed by former lead singer Leanid Bortkevich.
- Liavony – created in 2008 following a split from Bortkevich’s Pesniari, consisting of younger artists with no involvement prior to 1998.
- Liavony-Pesniary – active until 2006 under drummer Alexander Demeshko; ceased activity after his passing.
Discography
| Year | Album | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Ты мне вясною прыснiлася | Ty mnie viasnoju prysnilasia | I dreamt of you in spring |
| 1974 | Алеся | Aliesia | Alesya |
| 1977 | Перапёлачка | Pierapiolachka | The Quail |
| 1979 | Волoгда | Vologda | Vologda |
| 1980 | Гусляр | Husliar | Guslar |
| 1982 | Зачарованная моя | Zacharovannaya maya | My Enchanted (live album) |
| 1984 | Через всю войну | Cherez vsyu voynu | Throughout the Whole War |
In addition to albums, the band released a variety of singles.
Lineup
Throughout its history, the band's membership changed frequently. Notable long-term contributors included:
- Lyudmila Isupova (vocals, flute, 1975–1979)
- Vladimir Mulyavin (guitar, vocals, 1968–2003)
- Valery Mulyavin (guitar, trumpet, 1968–1973)
- Leonid Bortkevich (vocals, 1969–1980)
- Anatoly Kasheparov (vocals, 1970–1990)
- Valery Dayneka (vocals, alto, 1976–1992)
- Igor Penya (vocals, 1980–1998)
- Leonid Tyshko (bass guitar, 1968–1981)
- Vladislav Misevich (saxophone, flute, 1968–1992)
- Alexander Demeshko (drums, 1968–1988)
- Valery Yashkin (keyboards, hurdy-gurdy, 1968–1977)
- Vladimir Nikolayev (keyboards, trombone, 1971–1980)
- Cheslav Poplavsky (violin, guitar, 1972–1979)
See also
External links
- Belarusian folk music groups
- Belarusian rock music groups
- Belarusian folk rock groups
- Belarusian progressive rock groups
- Soviet vocal-instrumental ensembles
- Belarusian musical groups
- Pop-folk music groups
- Soviet rock music groups
- Musical groups established in 1969
- Musical groups disestablished in 2003
- 1969 establishments in Belarus
- 2003 disestablishments in Belarus